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Navy Federal Credit Union
Johnell
Copeland

While minorities were normally relegated to non-combat duties on U.S. Navy Ships, Gun Tub 10 on the U.S.S. Intrepid was manned by Black and Hispanic volunteers, most of them cooks or waiters for the Officers’ Mess. On October 29, 1944, in the face of a diving kamikaze, these brave sailors of Gun Tub 10 maintained their duty stations until the enemy plane crashed into their position killing 10 men and badly burning the others. Six of the survivors were subsequently awarded Bronze Stars. Decades later Alonzo Swann, one of the six, sued for the Navy Cross he had been promised but which had been downgraded to the Bronze Star. Ultimately, from 1993 to 2002, three of the six men initially awarded Bronze Stars, received late awards of the Navy Cross. To date we can find no record that Johnell Copeland’s Bronze Star was officially upgraded or that the Navy Cross was presented for his actions on that date.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Steward’s Mate Second Class

    Division:

    U.S.S. Intrepid (CV-11)

    Action Date:

    October 29, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Steward’s Mate Second Class Johnell Copeland, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy while serving as a Petty Officer aboard the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), in action against enemy Japanese forces when his ship was attacked by a Japanese dive bomber from the starboard side of the ship in Philippine waters during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 29 October 1944. Trained and assigned to a gun tub on the port side of the INTREPID, Steward’s Mate Second Class Copeland was in position on 29 October 1944, when a Japanese dive bomber attacked the ship from starboard, aiming directly for Steward’s Mate Second Class Copeland’s position. Grabbing his 20-mm. anti-aircraft gun and pointing it across the flight deck, he immediately began firing. He remained at his post and continued to shoot until the plane finally crashed, its wings shot off, into the gun tub, severely burning the him, injuring others and killing 10 of his fellow gun crew. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.